Four homes are among the approximately 35 structures that were destroyed or damaged Wednesday in fires in southern Alberta.
Several firefighters were injured while battling two separate blazes.
Cynthia Vizzutti, chief administrative officer for the Municipal District of Willow Creek, said two firefighters were injured in a vehicle rollover, one was treated for smoke inhalation and another for exhaustion after battling grass fires near Fort Macleod and Nanton that were stoked by high winds and dry conditions.
As of yesterday, three of the firefighters had been treated and released, Vizzutti said.
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The four burned homes were all located east of Nanton. Shops, barns, corrals and other outbuildings were also lost, along with fence lines and power poles.
Firefighting began Wednesday afternoon and was completed shortly after 10 a.m. yesterday. Fire departments battled hot spots throughout the night as winds subsided.
More than 12 fire departments responded to the two fires, one northwest of Fort Macleod and the other east of Nanton. Five departments within the MD responded, as well as those from the County of Vulcan, County of Lethbridge and MD of Foothills.
Hutterite colonies also helped battle the blaze along with individuals with water trucks, tractors and other equipment, Vizzutti said.
About 25 people were ordered to evacuate as the fires advanced on their homes. More were put on warning of possible evacuation. Emergency centres were set up in Fort Macleod and Claresholm to accommodate them.
Cause of the Nanton blaze is thought to be a power line downed by winds in excess of 100 km/h. The Fort Macleod area fire may have been caused by improper disposal of woodstove ash, but Vizzutti said that has yet to be confirmed.
Some horses and sheep were reported missing east of Nanton, but full reports have yet to be filed.
Highway 2 south of Granum was closed for part of Wednesday because of smoke, fire risk and winds that overturned multiple semi-trailer trucks. Gusts up to 122 km/h were recorded at Claresholm and Pincher Creek.
Wind warnings were issued again yesterday, and Vizzutti said fire bans remain in effect.
“There will be absolutely no lifting of this ban until there is significant moisture throughout the MD in total,” said Vizzutti.
“Please, people, extreme caution with all ignition sources including cigarettes. Please don’t throw your cigarettes out the windows of your vehicles. No welding, no burning of any kind until further notice.”
If you want to help
For those wishing to assist victims of the Jan. 4 fires in southern Alberta:
* The Nanton Emergency Fund Society has set up a fire relief fund to provide for immediate needs of those who lost homes and property, as well as for reclamation and restoration. Cheques made payable to NCEF Fire Relief can be sent to Box 1182, Nanton, Alta. T0L 1R0. The society can be contacted at 403-646-2804 or 403-646-3105.
* Nanton Baptist Church and Nanton Ministerial Association are taking donations of household effects. Donors can contact Steve Pike at 403-646-2567.
* The Stavely Stampeders 4-H Club has established a fund to look after veterinary costs for animals involved. Donations will augment free services already provided by the Nanton Veterinary Clinic.
* In Fort Macleod, inquiries regarding donations can be made to Gordon MacIvor, manager of ATB Financial, at 403-553-7985.
